Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N offers quite a few more features than the G2N unit. As its name suggests, it has MEGA Imaging+ sonar and includes the new MSI+ transducer. It also comes with the improved Humminbird Basemap. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410890-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• • Display: 10.1″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, WVGA 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
  • Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP, CHIRP MEGA Side Imaging+, MEGA Down Imaging+
  • Transducer: Transom XM 9 HW MSI T
  • Frequency and Coverage:
    • • Dual Spectrum CHIRP:

    2D Full mode: 150-220 kHz (adjustable) / 42°
    2D Wide mode: 140-200 kHz / 42°
    2D Narrow Mode: 180-240 kHz / 25°

    • • Down Imaging:

    435-535 kHz / 75°
    800-860 kHz / 45°
    1100-1200 kHz / 75°

    • • Side Imaging:

    405-505 kHz / 2x 86° / 800 ft. (244 m) side-to-side
    780-840 kHz / 2x 86° / 250 ft. (76 m) side-to-side
    1050-1175 kHz / 2x 86° / 400 ft. (122 m) side-to-side

  • Max. Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
    • Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 1,200 ft. (365 m)
    • Down Imaging: 400 ft. (122 m)
    • Side Imaging: 125 ft. (38 m)
  • Power Output: 1,000 Watts (RMS)
  • Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
  • Power Draw: 1.75 Amp
  • GPS: Internal
  • Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
  • Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,500; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar and transducer

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MSI+ GPS G3N offers three sonar technologies, including Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, Down Imaging+ and Side Imaging+. It includes the XM 9 HW MSI T transducer which supports all these three sonar technologies. This transducer also has an internal temperature sensor and a transom mount.

For Side Imaging+ the unit offers a CHIRP range between 1050-1175 kHz. The transducer uses oval beams with a coverage of 86° side-to-side range of 400′ (122 m). However, it also supports the regular Side Imaging mode offering a side-to-side range of 800′ (244 m), the CHIRP interval being 405-505 kHz. The maximum depth capability of the MSI+ mode with the included transducer is approx. 125′ (38 m).

For Down Imaging+, the transducer also uses oval beams, and a CHIRP range between 1100-1200 kHz, with a coverage of 75°. The depth capability of the MDI+ mode is approx. 200′ (61 m). The regular 435-535 kHz mode is also available, and for this, the system’s depth capability can reach 400′ (122 m).

For Dual Spectrum CHIRP, the transducer uses conical beams while the unit makes available three scanning modes. These are Narrow Mode, Wide Mode, and Full Mode. The Narrow Mode uses a CHIRP range between 180-240 kHz and the beam has a coverage of 25°. The Wide Mode offers a CHIRP range between 140-200 kHz and the transducer beam for it has a coverage of 42°. The Full Mode has a default interval of 150-220 kHz, but this interval is variable; you can set a custom range between 140-240 kHz if needed. The Full Mode beam also has a coverage of 42°, just as the Wide Mode. The max. depth capability of the 2D sonar is 1,200′ (365 m) when using the Wide Mode.

Of course, this Humminbird fish finder supports various other transducers. For example, it is 50 kHz capable, and if it is paired with a 50 kHz CHIRP transducers, you will be able to scan depths up to 3,500′ (1,066 m). Plus, the unit has Ethernet, and therefore it supports 360 Imaging sonar.

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. It has SwitchFire, Selective Fish ID, Sonar Recording, Circular Flasher, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarms, Depth Alarm, and more. It also has a Temperature Graph feature.

GPS and charts

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N is equipped with an internal GPS antenna. It offers position augmentation via WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS. It has a GPS speed function so the unit can display the speed of your boat based on the GPS data. Waypoints, routes, and trackplotting functions are also available. The unit can save up to 2,500 waypoints in its memory and you can customize each waypoint by choosing from various icons. It can save up to 47 routes, and record up to 50 tracks; each track can have 20,000 points and can be converted into a route.

The unit’s internal chart platform is the Humminbird Basemap. These charts provide both inland and coastal coverage for the U.S. waters. They cover the East Coast and the West Coast, showing a wide array of points of interest such as marinas, hazards, buoys, nav-aids, spot sounding, piers, etc. They also provide coverage for more than 10,000 lakes, with 1′ contours.

Although the unit’s built-in charts provide fairly decent detail and information, the unit is also compatible with Navionics and LakeMaster charts. It can support Navionics Gold and HotMaps, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, LakeMaster Plus, and SmartStrike fishing charts.

In case you’re going to opt for Navionics charts, you will be able to use the SonarChart feature. However, the unit has its own integrated sonar mapping feature – AutoChart Live. This application uses the 2D sonar data and the GPS data to scan and draw the depth contours on the map. Therefore, you can create, save, and re-use your own custom maps, with the most up-to-date contours, add vegetation, bottom hardness, depth shading, and more.

This HELIX unit has several other notable navigation capabilities. It has its own internal Radar application and supports Radar modules. It can also provide data from AIS units and supports Minn Kota i-Pilot link, as well as Minn Kota Talon anchors.

Control unit features

This Humminbird unit features a 10.1″ display with a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V. Needless to say, it’s a color unit with a 16-bit range. It also has LED backlight, offering excellent readability even in direct sunlight and if you’re using polarized sunglasses. Its interface is keypad operated; it does not have touchscreen technology like the SOLIX units. However, it does have the custom digital readout and the X-Press menu system. It also offers multiple split-screen and display customization possibilities.

The unit’s waterproofing is IPX7. This means it can support incidental water exposure, rain, and even full immersions in freshwater, up to 1 meter.

Ethernet and NMEA 2000 support are also included with this HELIX unit. This being said, you can easily integrate it into an already existent boat grid, or connect it to various other boat instruments such as Radar modules, AIS units, etc.

Bluetooth connectivity is another feature available with the HELIX 10 CHIRP MSI+ GPS G3N. Therefore, you can sync your unit with your smartphone or tablet via the free FishSmart app, in order to download chart or the latest software updates. You can also view smart notifications from your phone on the Humminbird unit’s screen.

The unit is equipped with a dual SD card reader (not microSD). Therefore, you can use a charts card and a data backup card simultaneously, without the need to swap them.

The included mount is the standard Gimbal model. The in-dash mounting kit is not included. Also, the box does not include a unit cover.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• MEGA Imaging+ (Side Imaging+ and Down Imaging+);
• XM 9 HW MSI T transducer included;
• Metallic transom mount for the transducer;
• Depth capability up to 1,200 ft with the included transducer;
• Multiple standard sonar features available, such as RTS, Bottom Lock, Selective Fish ID+, Alarms, SwitchFire etc;
• Sonar Recording and Screen Snapshot functions;
• Precision internal GPS;
• Humminbird Basemap chart platform built-in;
• AutoChart Live;
• Supports Navionics+, Navionics Platinum, LakeMaster Plus, and SmartStrike charts;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• 10.1″ display, 1024 x 600 resolution, 16-bit color display, with LED backlight, providing clear images, easy to read even in direct sunlight;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Supports Ethernet and NMEA 2000;
• Supports AIS and GPS heading sensors;
• Supports CHIRP Radar and Minn Kota i-Pilot Link;
• Bluetooth connectivity;
• Compatible with the FishSmart App and the RC2 Bluetooth remote control;
• Dual SD card reader;
• Upgradable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• Trolling mount for the transducer is not included;
• Unit cover is not included;
• In-dash mounting kit is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MSI+ GPS G3N offers MEGA SI+, MEGA DI+ and 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS, and the Humminbird Basemap charts. It includes the XM 9 HW MSI T transom transducer. It supports NMEA 2000, Ethernet, Radar, 360 Imaging, and also has Bluetooth connectivity. It’s an excellent fish finder and chartplotter for both freshwater and saltwater, perfect for a wide array of boats. It’s not exactly one of the most affordable Humminbird units, but definitely offers excellent value for the price.